AAP

US stocks have risen decisively as investors bet the Federal Reserve will stay the course the next day on its economic stimulus policy.

The Australian dollar is over one US cent lower as it looks likely the central bank will cut the cash rate some time in the second half of the year.

Australian shares have fallen as investors nervously wait for an update on economic stimulus measures in the United States.

The $339 million in federal funding allocated for the stalled Oakajee port project cannot be used by the state government for other purposes.

The defamation battle between Treasurer Troy Buswell and his former parliamentary lover Adele Carles has taken a twist, with the deposed MP revealing she is attempting to sue millionaire property d

The Reserve Bank of Australia may not have cut the cash rate at its June meeting but has indicated it is prepared to cut further even though the Australian dollar is falling.

Security screening staff at Perth Airport's Qantas terminal have dug in for a fourth week of industrial action as they remain embroiled in a wage dispute with employer MSS Security.

Australian shares are weaker as traders nervously await the Reserve Bank's June board meeting minutes, with the big banks and miners suffering losses.

A further $9 million has been wiped from the market value of Elders after it rejected an offer to buy its rural services business.

The Australian dollar is weaker as traders buy the greenback on the small chance the US Federal Reserve will wind back its stimulus measures.

US stocks have surged a day before the Federal Reserve begins meeting to review monetary policy, with expectations mounting that it will make no sharp changes to its economic stimulus.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as traders wait for an announcement on whether the US Federal Reserve will wind down its economic stimulus measures.

Renewed demand for banking stocks has driven the overall Australian share market higher.

Lend Lease shares have slumped more than eight per cent after the company revealed it will undergo a major restructure as the construction sector softens.

Retiring veteran Liberal MP Barry Haase says the time has come for him to step away from federal politics as the country looks set to vote his party into power.

Employment services firm Skilled Group will pay $75.5 million for a Darwin-based marine contractor focused on the oil and gas sector.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Labour productivity growth slowed in the year to March, with the mining sector suffering a fall of almost six per cent.

The Australian dollar is weaker following a fall on Wall Street after a flat reading on US industrial production for May and a decline in the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index.

US stocks ended last week in the red as market speculation boiled over the Federal Reserve's stimulus program ahead of the Fed monetary policy meeting next week.

ASX Ltd's $553 million capital raising has prompted speculation the stock market operator was clearing debt to free it up to take part in a big merger deal.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is still facing resistance from some states after South Australia became the third jurisdiction to sign up to the federal government's schools funding plan.

Packaged food manufacturers have about two years to voluntarily implement health star ratings on the front of their products, or risk legislative measures.

The Australian market had its best day in nearly 18 months as investors decided its month-long slide had gone far enough.

Find a fault in the earth's crust and you could find some gold, Western Australian researchers say.

Japan's Mitsubishi says it will halt any further work on the $6 billion Oakajee port and rail development in the Mid West.

Debt-laden Elders has received at least one formal bid for its main rural services business and is working on securing a sale, following eight months of negotiations.

The Australian market has opened stronger, raising hopes of an end to the sharp slide in shares in recent weeks.

Google captured more than half of the $US8.8 billion ($A9.33 billion) spent on mobile internet advertising worldwide last year and is expected to boost its share in 2013, market watchers say.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest point in a week with it looking less likely the US Federal Reserve will wind back its economic stimulus program.

US stocks gained their footing after a rocky start on Thursday to put on strong gains in their first positive day this week, shrugging off the 6.4 per cent plunge in Japanese markets.

Security screeners at Perth Airport's Qantas terminal have walked off the job for the second time this week over a pay dispute.